Nova Scotia life sciences firm opens new Halifax lab after rapid growth

Sona Nanotech Inc., an innovative Nova Scotian life sciences company, has opened new laboratory facilities in Halifax after a year of rapid growth.

The company manufactures unique gold nanoparticles shaped like rods for use in diagnostic tests and other healthcare applications.

Sona’s new home is located at the Technology Innovation Centre on Research Drive, Dartmouth.   A three-year lease has been signed for the space with Innovacorp, NovaScotia’s early-stage venture capital organization.

Previously, Sona’s laboratory operations had been based at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, where the company was originally founded in 2014.

Sona’s full staff moved into the centre last month after several weeks of work to outfit the new facility with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA),  supported the development of the company’s novel nanorod products and customization services for the diagnostic and life sciences markets, as well as the establishment of its new development and production facility at the Innovacorp Technology Innovation Centre in Dartmouth.

Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, was the special guest at a grand opening ceremony today [Friday, December 14].

He said: “Enabling Sona Nanotech to set up their development and production facility for gold nanorod technology in Dartmouth will allow the company to make a significant contribution to the life sciences advances occurring in the region.”

MP Fisher, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, added: “The company’s continued growth is a sign that the region has the resources in place to support the burgeoning innovation ecosystem that is making its mark on the global economy.”

Darren Rowles, Sona’s CEO and president, has 15 years’ experience in gold nanoparticle technology, and relocated from his home in Cardiff, Wales to lead the company last year.

He said: “Sona has achieved some incredible successes in recent months, including signing several exciting new partnerships. To keep up with the growing demand for our products and services it was clear we needed larger premises to increase our manufacturing and distribution capacity. Innovacorp’s Technology Innovation Centre fit our needs perfectly; the space is flexible and scalable, and the Centre’s location, close to the airport and other transport links, is ideal for distributing our products globally. I would like to thank ACOA and Innovacorp for all their help and support.”

About Sona Nanotech Inc.

Sona Nanotech Inc.is a nanotechnology life sciences firm that has developed two proprietary methods for the manufacture of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles.

Sona’s gold nanorod particles are CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. It is expected that Sona’s gold nanotechnologies may be adapted for use in applications, as a safe and effective delivery system for multiple medical treatments, pending the approval of various regulatory boards including Health Canada and the FDA.

Sona is a publicly listed company on the Canadian Securities Exchange existing under the laws of Nova Scotia, with its operations in Nova Scotia.

About Innovacorp

Innovacorp is Nova Scotia’s early-stage venture capital organization. It works to find, fund and foster innovative Nova Scotia start-ups that strive to change the world. Target industries include information technology, life sciences, clean technology and ocean technology. In addition to risk capital,Innovacorp gives entrepreneurs access to world-class incubation facilities, expert advice and other support to help accelerate their companies.

About ACOA

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada.

ACOA puts special emphasis on initiatives that foster greater productivity, the commercialization of innovative and clean technologies, improved global competitiveness and skills development.

For More Information
For more information about Sona, please contact:
Darren Rowles
President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (902) 442-7192
Email: Darren Rowles darren@sonanano.com



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